How long should physical therapy sessions last

Sallyellen
Sallyellen Member Posts: 7
edited December 2015 in Pain

I have been going to physical therapy for 3 months(since implant placement). I also went to p.t. for 2 months after my mastectomy in May. I have had my cording/range of motion/pain issues since the mastectomy. I am feeling a bit better but am anxious to "be myself" again and get rid of this pain. Originally, my p/t sessions were an hour. She rubbed various muscles, my sentinel node scar, cording areas, etc. Then we would do 1-2 exercises. Now my sessions last about a half hour. She rubs various areas and manipulates my breast(cancer side). They we do one climb the wall exercise.Then we are done.

I am wondering if, as we all progress, our p/t sessions are shorter, or if I should be getting a full hour of treatment. Maybe there are less areas to massage(cording improving, etc). My p.t. has been a godsend and is wonderful so I don't want to question her. I would really appreciate hearing how long other people's sessions last and what they do during those sessions. As of Jan 1, I have to pay out of pocket for these services(and have a $5,000 out of pocket deductible) so I am scrutinizing these services more closely. I also know I am not quite ready to stop as I am benefitting from the sessions. Thank you very much and happy, healthy holidays and new year to everyone!

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  • jlstacey
    jlstacey Member Posts: 277
    edited December 2015

    My PT sessions are 45 minutes and she is doing mainly myofascial release with me. I have about a half hour of exercises that I do at home twice a day. Every session, she adds more exercises to my at-home program. I am about 5 sessions in and she says I am half way. My PT is post-mastectomy and it is for cording and to release tightness, and then she is sending me on to another facility to strengthen my upper body for my DIEP flap surgery in 8 weeks.

    If you think you are making the same progress you were making previously, then your sessions are probably right. Perhaps bring up your concerns with your PT.


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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited December 2015

    I'd ask about scheduling and about billing. Where I go to PT, they schedule an hour, with 45 minutes patient time and 15 minutes paperwork. If you are being seen for half an hour, but billed the same as when your sessions were an hour, well . . . .

    I've had lots of experience with PT for various body parts and never had less than a full session. Wall crawling is great, but addresses only one set of muscle/soft tissue. Your therapist should (says the lay person here) be working your cording and range of motion from every angle. I saw a lymphedema therapist for cording and always did several exercises. My favorite was to lie on my back (maybe even in bed), stretch out my arm somewhere out to the side, then gently turn away.

    By the way, are you making progress and do you have a good home program that you follow faithfully? Are you seeing a certified lymphedema therapist? If not, maybe you can find someone with that particular training.

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